Lauren: Gunners don’t need Mahrez

Former Arsenal defender Lauren isn't convinced that Riyad Mahrez would be a good addition to Arsene Wenger's side.

Despite Mahrez scoring 19 goals in 41 appearances during Leicester's Premier League title-winning campaign and being named PFA Player of the Year as a result, Lauren reckons that Mahrez would not bring something new and different to the Arsenal squad.

"He is a very good player, but how many similar players in terms of technically proficient, creative midfielders and wide men do Arsenal have already?" Lauren told the Evening Standard.

"They have Mesut Ozil, they have Jack Wilshere, they have Aaron Ramsey, they have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, they have Theo Walcott – Arsenal don't need Mahrez.

"Arsenal have always had dynamic players – but they need to change that style a little bit, maybe be a little more direct, with more aggressiveness, and determination – which means players with a different style than Mahrez can offer."

Lauren also weighed in on striker Olivier Giroud, and said that Wenger should rethink having the French striker leading the Arsenal front-line.